By IsraAID Staff | IsraAID Morocco
A large-scale 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Morocco overnight on September 8, 2023. The earthquake – the strongest to hit the region in 123 years - took thousands of lives and damaged infrastructure across five provinces. More than 300,000 people were affected in the largely rural, mountainous areas in and around Marrakech.
IsraAID's emergency response team arrived in Morocco within 48 hours to deliver urgent aid to earthquake-affected communities. Side-by-side with local community leaders in the High Atlas Mountains, we distributed vital relief items including clean water, hundreds of kilograms of fresh and dried food, blankets, tents and lamps for over 9,000 people.
With thousands displaced to temporary camps, ensuring adequate hygiene and sanitation infrastructure and supplies was crucial to preventing a secondary crisis. IsraAID supported the construction of 12 emergency toilets and showers in four communities. We also distributed hygiene and resilience kits with everything from soap and toothpaste to stress relief activities for children, supporting them to restore a sense of dignity and normalcy amidst their displacement.
IsraAID’s protection team set up Child-Friendly Spaces (CFSs) in two displacement camps, run by local volunteers from the communities themselves. The spaces offer children and parents organized activities, stress relief, and the chance to "just be kids." Over 80 children have attended CFS activities, where they have played, learned, created, and processed their experiences after the earthquake.
Here is a message from IsraAID's team on the ground:
"In every village, we have heard countless stories. We've heard how families and communities came together to save their neighbors' lives. We've seen how people from every community and across Morocco are now working hand-in-hand to meet the basic needs of survivors, and plan for what comes next. And that's exactly where IsraAID comes in.”
We are addressing immediate needs and establishing the foundation for long-term recovery and resilience building. Into the new year, IsraAID will continue focusing on mental health, child protection, water, hygiene, and sanitation. We will stay for as long as we are needed. Thank you for your support!
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